Coast Guard rescues 8 crew of oil tanker

Mangalore, July 7 (UNI) Coast Guard (CG) today rescued eight crew members of an oil tanker after receiving an SOS message, CG Commandant Manoj Badkar said.

Talking to UNI, he said the vessel 'Abdul Kalam Azad' carrying crude oil and heading towards Mangalore from Mumbai, flashed a message informing that the ship was caught in rough wind, five nautical miles away from New Mangalore Port.

The SOS said seven crew members on a mission to rescue a colleague, who fell off the vessel, were in danger he added.

Acting swiftly, Coast Guard immediately pressed 'Kasturba Gandhi' into operation. Braving rough weather all the eight crew members were rescued by the CG personnel, he informed.

He said the New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) later docked the vessel.

UNI